RAM and MOBO question

[MengusDew]

If the specs on the MOBO say "Memory Standard: DDR3 1600(O.C)/1333", does that mean that the highest RAM I can use is a 1333 and overclock it to 1600?

 

[StrangleHold]

Well yes and no. You should have a bios settings for 1600. What it is, to run at JEDEC standards for 1600 it has to run on a voltage of 1.5/1.575. Any higher it technically overclocked.

 

[MengusDew]

Well yes and no. You should have a bios settings for 1600. What it is, to run at JEDEC standards for 1600 it has to run on a voltage of 1.5/1.575. Any higher it technically overclocked.

I do understand that much. I guess my real question would be instead of using 1333 RAM could I just use factory set 1600 RAM? or is anything over 1333 (without O.C.) not compatible with the MOBO?

 

[Bodaggit23]

I do understand that much. I guess my real question would be instead of using 1333 RAM could I just use factory set 1600 RAM?

Absolutely. You're better off that way than trying to overclock lower frequency memory.

You just need to reset the timings/voltage in the BIOS.